Don't Campaign for 'Donkeys' of Gujarat: Akhilesh to Big B

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan was on Monday dragged into the political slugfest in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections after UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at a rally in Raebareli appealed to Bachchan to "not advertise for the donkeys of Gujarat".

File photo of Akhilesh Yadav (L) and Superstar Amitabh Bachchan (R).

New Delhi: Superstar Amitabh Bachchan was on Monday dragged into the political slugfest in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections after UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at a rally in Raebareli appealed to Bachchan to “not advertise for the donkeys of Gujarat”.

The remark kicked up a row as it was seen as an apparent dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hails from Gujarat. Bachchan, whose wife Jaya Bachchan is a Samajwadi Party MP, is the brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism.

In a recent minute-long Gujarat Tourism advertisement, Bachchan can be seen promoting the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary in Gujarat's Rann of Kutch.

Taking a dig at the ad, Yadav said on Monday, "Main sadi ke mahanayak se appeal karta hoon ke Gujarat ke gadhon ka prachar mat karein (I appeal to the superstar of the century to not campaign for the donkeys of Gujarat)."

The remark drew sharp criticism from the BJP. Party leader GVL Narsimha Rao said, "Akhilesh Yadav has lost his balance. This comment is a personal attack and his desperation can be seen. It is a very cheap and derogatory remark by the Chief Minister."

The Samajwadi Party, however, doubled down on the CM's remark. SP leader Udayveer Singh said, "The Prime Minister has been saying that UP is number 1 in loot, rape and crime. However, the CM has only said that even the donkeys of Gujarat are being glorified. The CM has not said anything wrong."